Question
Hi... I bought a bromeliad from the local nursery... It has beautiful variegated leaves so I realized its a Neoregelia... After a few days while changing the pot and was shocked to see such an undeveloped root system... I just want to ask if its normal or the poor plant's root has rotted... I have another question about its culture... After being surprised to see these roots I wonder how the plant gathers the nutrients... Any "Special" culture tips?... I'm confused of letting water stay inside the leaves or not... Thanks...

Answer
Mohsen,

Bromeliads in nature do not normally grow in soil. They grow in crotches of tree branches or on the sides or in hole of rocks. They have just enough roots to cling to where they are growing. They absorb some nutrients through those roots but your Neoregelia also absorbs the water it needs and nutrients from whatever water lands in the cup created  by it's leaves and it is fertilized by any debris that lands there. If the plant is supplied with moisture by wetting the soil around its roots, it is not necessary to keep the cup filled with water. Most bromeliads adapt so well to culture in a pot that they absorb the needed moisture and nutrients through their root systems. Keeping the cup filled with water under low light conditions that exist in most homes encourages bacteria and fungus problems. If the cup is kept filled with water, it should be flushed out with plenty of water periodically to prevent possible stagnation. Periodic flushing also prevents a build up of salts left when water in the cup evaporates. Water should be removed from the cup if the temperature is likely to fall below 40癋. This practice will prevent cold damage which appears as a brown line across each leaf at the water level.

Bromeliads slowly die over a period of a year or two after flowering. However, several pups usually develop during the flowering cycle and usually emerge from the soil near the edge of the container. The pups should be separated from the mother plant after they have developed a small rosette of leaves similar to the mother plant. To remove a pup, use a serrated knife, pruning shears or small saw. Coarse hacksaw blades may also be used for this purpose. Push the saw blade into the growing medium, between the pup and mother plant, and cut through near the base of the mother plant. The young pup may or may not have developed a root system of its own. Don't be alarmed if it hasn't. Add more potting medium to the area where the pup has been removed and transplant the newly cut pup into another pot. The mother plant, especially if helped along with a small amount of dilute fertilizer, will continue to produce pups until it totally dies. Pups should begin growing soon even though initially roots may be absent. Don't overwater. These plants will normally flower in 1 to 3 years. Propagation by vegetative means (pups) is by far the best and most satisfactory method for home gardeners.

I hope you enjoy growing your Neoregelia and it's future babies for many years. Good luck.

Darlene